Drive unit for ice making device and ice making device

ABSTRACT

A drive unit for an ice making device includes a drive mechanism, a circuit board structured to perform at least one of power feeding to and control for the drive mechanism, and a case in which the drive mechanism and the circuit board are disposed on an inner side. The case comprises a first end plate part, a second end plate part which faces the first end plate part, and a partition member which sections a space between the first end plate part and the second end plate part. The circuit board is disposed in a circuit board arrangement chamber provided between the first end plate part and the partition member. The drive mechanism is disposed in a drive chamber provided between the second end plate part and the partition member, and a plurality of support posts is provided between the first end plate part and the partition member.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present invention claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to JapaneseApplication No. 2017-166790 filed Aug. 31, 2017, the entire content ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a drive unit for an ice making devicein which a drive mechanism and a circuit board are disposed in a case,and an ice making device.

BACKGROUND

An ice making device which is mounted on a refrigerator includes an icetray whose water storage recessed parts are disposed upward and a driveunit. For example, the drive unit drives the ice tray so as to reversearound an axial line extended in a direction intersecting an upper and alower direction and to perform a twisting operation and thereby an iceseparation from the ice tray is performed. On the other hand, a gearedmotor has been proposed as the drive unit in which a first case member,a second case member (partition member) and a third case member aredisposed in an overlapped manner from one side in a thickness directionof a case. A control circuit board is disposed between the first casemember and the second case member and the drive mechanism is disposedbetween the second case member and the third case member (see, PatentLiterature 1: US 2015/0345851).

However, when the ice tray is performed with a reversing operation andan ice separating operation, the case is subjected to a reaction forcefrom the ice tray and thus, in the drive unit described in PatentLiterature 1, the case may be distorted to easily incur malfunction inoperation.

SUMMARY

In view of the problem described above, an objective of the presentinvention is to provide a drive unit for an ice making device in whichstrength of a case of the drive unit is increased and to provide an icemaking device.

To achieve the above mentioned objective, the present invention providesa drive unit for an ice making device including a drive mechanism, acircuit board structured to perform at least one of power feeding to andcontrol for the drive mechanism, and a case in which the drive mechanismand the circuit board are disposed on an inner side. The case includes afirst end plate part which is located on one side in a thicknessdirection of the case, a second end plate part which faces the first endplate part on the other side in the thickness direction, and a partitionmember which sections a space between the first end plate part and thesecond end plate part in the thickness direction. The circuit board isdisposed in a circuit board arrangement chamber which is providedbetween the first end plate part and the partition member, the drivemechanism is disposed in a drive chamber which is provided between thesecond end plate part and the partition member, and a plurality ofsupport posts is provided between the first end plate part and thepartition member.

In the drive unit for an ice making device in accordance with thepresent invention, the circuit board is disposed in a circuit boardarrangement chamber which is provided between the first end plate partand the partition member, and the drive mechanism is disposed in a drivechamber which is provided between the second end plate part and thepartition member. Therefore, grease applied to the drive mechanism inthe drive chamber and water entered into the drive chamber are hard tobe stuck to the circuit board. Further, the circuit board arrangementchamber (first end plate part and partition member) is reinforced by thesupport posts. Therefore, the strength of the case of the drive unit canbe increased and thus the case is capable of withstanding a reactionforce when an ice separating operation is performed. In this case, itmay be structured that the drive mechanism includes a motor, a geartransmission mechanism to which a rotating force of the motor istransmitted, and a cam gear to which the rotating force of the motor istransmitted through the gear transmission mechanism, and the cam gearincludes an output shaft which is protruded from the second end platepart to an outer side of the second end plate part and is connected withan ice tray and, when an ice separating operation of ice pieces of theice tray is to be performed, the output shaft is turned by the motor andthe ice tray is reversed.

In the present invention, it may be structured that each of theplurality of the support posts is comprised of a first pillar shapedpart protruded from the first end plate part toward the partition memberand a second pillar shaped part protruded from the partition membertoward the first pillar shaped part, and the circuit board is supportedbetween the first pillar shaped part and the second pillar shaped part.In this case, it may be structured that some of the first pillar shapedparts are provided in an outer peripheral part of the first end platepart, and the circuit board is supported between the first pillar shapedpart and the second pillar shaped part. According to this structure, astrength of the entire first end plate part can be increased by aplurality of the first pillar shaped parts provided in the outerperipheral part, and the circuit board is supported between the firstpillar shaped part and the second pillar shaped part and thus a strengthof the first end plate part can be also increased by the circuit board.

In the present invention, it may be structured that one of the firstpillar shaped part and the second pillar shaped part is provided with aprotruded part which is protruded from its tip end part, and the otherof the first pillar shaped part and the second pillar shaped part isprovided with a hole which is opened in its tip end part into which theprotruded part is fitted.

In the present invention, it may be structured that the circuit board issupported between the first pillar shaped part and the second pillarshaped part in a state that the protruded part is penetrated through anopening part formed in the circuit board and is fitted into the hole.According to this structure, the circuit board can be supported byutilizing the support post.

In the present invention, it may be structured that the other pillarshaped part is provided with a plurality of projection parts on its thetip end part, and the other pillar shaped part is contacted with thecircuit board in a state that at least one of a portion of the circuitboard where the plurality of the projection parts are abutted and theplurality of the projection parts is partly crushed. According to thisstructure, variations of height dimensions of the first pillar shapedpart and the second pillar shaped part can be absorbed by the circuitboard or a crushing extent of the projection part and thus the circuitboard can be supported appropriately.

In the present invention, it may be structured that the circuit boardincludes a first circuit board supported by some of the plurality of thesupport posts, and a second circuit board supported by another some ofthe plurality of the support posts.

In the present invention, it may be structured that the first circuitboard is supported by three of the plurality of the support posts, andthe second circuit board is supported by another three of the pluralityof the support posts. According to this structure, even if heightdimensions of the first pillar shaped part and the second pillar shapedpart are varied in the plurality of the support posts, each of the firstcircuit board and the second circuit board can be appropriatelysupported.

In the present invention, it may be structured that the partition memberis provided with a penetration part which is penetrated through thepartition member in a thickness direction, and the drive chamber and thecircuit board arrangement chamber are electrically connected with eachother through the penetration part.

In the present invention, it may be structured that the case includes afirst case member which structures the first end plate part, a secondcase member which structures the partition member, and a third casemember which structures the second end plate part toward one side in athickness direction.

The present invention may be further effectively applied to an icemaking device including the drive unit described above in which areversing operation and a twisting operation interlocked with thereversing operation are performed on an ice tray by the drive mechanism.In this case, the ice making device includes the drive unit, an ice trayprovided with a plurality of water storage recessed parts, and a framewhich turnably supports the ice tray and on which the drive unit ismounted, and a reversing operation and a twisting operation interlockedwith the reversing operation are performed on the ice tray by the drivemechanism. In this case, the drive unit is subjected to a large reactionforce from the ice tray when an ice separating operation is performed.However, according to the present invention, the case is capable ofwithstanding the reaction force.

In the present invention, it may be structured that the case includes afirst case member which structures the first end plate part, a secondcase member which structures the partition member, and a third casemember which structures the second end plate part toward one side in thethickness direction, and the first case member, the second case memberand the third case member are connected with each other with a screw tobe mounted on the frame.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing detailed description, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings that illustrate, by way of example, variousfeatures of embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, withreference to the accompanying drawings which are meant to be exemplary,not limiting, and wherein like elements are numbered alike in severalFigures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an ice making device which isviewed from a side of a second side plate part and from an obliquelyupper side in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the ice making deviceshown in FIG. 1 which is viewed from a side of a second side plate partand from an obliquely upper side.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the ice making device shown in FIG.1 which is viewed from a side of a second side plate part and from anobliquely lower side.

FIG. 4 is an “XZ” cross-sectional view showing a drive unit in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing a state that the driveunit shown in FIG. 2 is disassembled and viewed from a side of an icetray.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing a state that the driveunit shown in FIG. 2 is disassembled and viewed from an opposite side toan ice tray.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a drive mechanism in FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a first case member in FIG. 5 whichis viewed from a side of an ice tray.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a second case member in FIG. 5which is viewed from a side of the first case member.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the second case member in FIG. 5together with a circuit board which is viewed from a side of the firstcase member.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a state that a terminal holder isdisposed at a position overlapping with a first circuit board shown inFIG. 10 which is viewed from one side in a second direction.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a state that a terminal holder isdisposed at a position overlapping with a first circuit board shown inFIG. 10 which is viewed from the other side in a second direction.

FIG. 13 is an “XY” cross-sectional view showing a portion where aterminal holder shown in FIG. 9 is disposed.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a terminal holder in FIG. 11 andthe like.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a holder support part and the likeshown in FIG. 11.

FIG. 16 is a plan view showing a holder support part and the like shownin FIG. 11.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory view showing a state that a terminal holdershown in FIG. 11 is inserted between holder support parts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below withreference to the accompanying drawings. In the following descriptions,three directions intersecting each other are referred to as a firstdirection “X” (longitudinal direction), a second direction “Y” (widthdirection), and a third direction “Z” (upper and lower direction).Further, “X1” is indicated on one side in the first direction “X”, “X2”is indicated on the other side in the first direction “X”, “Y1” isindicated on one side in the second direction “Y”, “Y2” is indicated onthe other side in the second direction “Y”, “Z1” is indicated on oneside (upper side) in the third direction “Z” (upper and lowerdirection), and “Z2” is indicated on the other side (lower side) in thethird direction “Z” (upper and lower direction).

(Entire Structure)

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an ice making device 1 which isviewed from a side of a second side plate part 42 and from an obliquelyupper side in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the ice making device 1shown in FIG. 1 which is viewed from a side of the second side platepart 42 and from an obliquely upper side. FIG. 3 is a perspective viewshowing the ice making device 1 shown in FIG. 1 which is viewed from aside of the second side plate part 42 and from an obliquely lower side.

The ice making device 1 shown in FIGS. 1 through 3 includes an ice tray2 whose water storage recessed parts 20 (cells) are disposed toward oneside “Z1” (upper side) in the third direction “Z”, a drive unit 3 (driveunit for an ice making device) which is disposed on one side “X1” in thefirst direction “X” with respect to the ice tray 2, and a frame 4provided with a mounting part 40 on which the drive unit 3 is mounted.The ice making device 1 is mounted on a refrigerator main body (notshown) of a refrigerator and, in the refrigerator, water in a water tank(not shown) is supplied to the water storage recessed parts 20 of theice tray 2 through a water supply pipe (not shown) and an ice making isperformed. When ice making is completed, the drive unit 3 drives the icetray 2 as an ice separating operation to perform a reversing operationaround an axial line “L0” (first axial line) extended in the firstdirection “X” and a twisting operation interlocked with the reversingoperation and, as a result, ice pieces of the ice tray 2 are dropped toan ice storage container (not shown). A water supply pipe may bedirectly connected with a faucet of water service.

(Structure of Ice Tray 2)

The ice tray 2 is a mechanical member which is molded with a resinmaterial so that its planar shape is a substantially quadrangle and thematerial is structured to be capable of being elastically deformed. Inthe ice tray 2, a plurality of water storage recessed parts 20 arearranged in the first direction “X” and the second direction “Y”. Forexample, two water storage recessed parts 20 are arranged as a pair inthe second direction “Y” and four pairs are disposed in the firstdirection “X” on an inner side of a frame part 25 of the ice tray 2formed in a substantially quadrangular shape. In the frame part 25 ofthe ice tray 2, a wall part 26 located on one side “X1” in the firstdirection “X” is formed with a connecting part (not shown) which isconnected with an output shaft 33 of the drive unit 3 on an axial line“L0”, and a wall part 27 located on the other side “X2” in the firstdirection “X” is formed with a shaft part 28 which is turnably supportedby the frame 4 on the axial line “L0”. The wall part 27 of the ice tray2 is formed with a turning restriction part 29 which is abutted with theframe 4 when the ice tray 2 is turned around the axial line “L0”, andthe turning restriction part 29 prevents turning of the ice tray 2 tomake the ice tray 2 perform a twisting operation.

An under face 2 a of the ice tray 2 located on the other side “Z2” inthe third direction “Z” is arranged with a plurality of protruded parts21 reflecting shapes of the plurality of the water storage recessedparts 20. The under face 2 a of the ice tray 2 is disposed with atemperature sensor 8 structured to detect a temperature of the ice tray2, and the temperature sensor 8 is covered by a cover member 9 which isfixed to the under face 2 a of the ice tray 2. Signal wiring lines 88and 89 are extended from the temperature sensor 8 toward an inside ofthe drive unit 3. In this embodiment, the temperature sensor 8 is athermistor 80.

(Structure of Frame 4 and the Like)

The frame 4 is provided with a first side plate part 41 which isextended in the first direction “X” along a first side face 2 b on oneside “Y1” in the second direction “Y” of the ice tray 2, and a secondside plate part 42 which is extended in the first direction “X” along asecond side face 2 c on the other side “Y2” in the second direction “Y”of the ice tray 2. The first side plate part 41 and the second sideplate part 42 are faced in parallel to each other in the seconddirection “Y”. An ice detection lever 6 whose base end side is connectedwith the drive unit 3 is disposed between the second side plate part 42and the ice tray 2.

A first upper plate part 410 is projected toward the second side platepart 42 from an upper end 41 e of the first side plate part 41 (edge onone side “Z1” in the third direction “Z”). The first upper plate part410 is bent to a lower side at a midway position toward the other side“Y2” in the second direction “Y” and then is projected toward the secondside plate part 42. A second upper plate part 420 is projected from thevicinity of the upper end 42 e of the second side plate part 42 (an edgeon one side “Z1” in the third direction “Z”) toward the first side platepart 41. The ice tray 2 is set in an opened state facing toward an upperside (one side “Z1” in the third direction “Z”) between the first upperplate part 410 and the second upper plate part 420. The second upperplate part 420 is formed with an opening part 420 a in which an upperend part of the ice detection lever 6 is located on its inner side.

End parts of the first side plate part 41 and the second side plate part42 on one side “X1” in the first direction “X” are overlapped with thedrive unit 3 when viewed in the second direction “Y”. The first sideplate part 41 and the second side plate part 42 are connected with eachother by a first wall part 43 in a plate shape, which is located at anend part on one side “X1” in the first direction “X”, and a second wallpart 44 located at an end part on the other side “X2” in the firstdirection “X”. The first side plate part 41 and the second side platepart 42 are also connected with each other by an upper plate part 45covering the drive unit 3 from an upper side on one side “X1” in thefirst direction “X”. Therefore, in this embodiment, a space surroundedby the first side plate part 41, the second side plate part 42, thefirst wall part 43 and the upper plate part 45 of the frame 4 isstructured to be a mounting part 40 for the drive unit 3. The mountingpart 40 is structured as an opened state toward a lower side (the otherside “Z2” in the third direction “Z”). The second wall part 44 is a wallprovided with a plurality of holes which are structured by a pluralityof ribs in a plate shape connected with each other. A shaft hole 440 isformed at the center so as to turnably support the shaft part 28 of theice tray 2.

In the first side plate part 41, a plurality of reinforcing ribs 411 a,411 b and 411 c are formed so as to be extended in an upper and a lowerdirection on a wall (inner wall 411) on a side where the ice tray 2 islocated. In a wall (outer wall) of the first side plate part 41 on anopposite side to the ice tray 2, an upper end 41 e and a lower end 41 fof the first side plate part 41 are formed with a plurality of attachingparts 414 on the other side “X2” in the first direction “X” with respectto the drive unit 3 for fixing the frame 4 to a refrigerator main body(not shown) when the ice making device 1 is to be mounted on therefrigerator main body. The lower end 41 f of the first side plate part41 is formed with a cut-out part 417 between the attaching parts 414adjacent to each other in the first direction “X”. A wiring line 5structured to supply electrical power to the drive unit 3 is extendedfrom the drive unit 3 along the inner wall 411 of the first side platepart 41 toward the other side “X2” in the first direction “X” and thenis extended outside through the cut-out part 417.

Therefore, when the drive unit 3 is going to make the ice tray 2 performa twisting operation in order to perform an ice separating operation,even in a case that a large force is applied to the frame 4 due to itsreaction force, a transmission of the force to the side of the cut-outpart 417 of the first side plate part 41 is restrained by the attachingpart 414 which is fixed to the refrigerator main body on one side “X1”in the first direction “X” with respect to the cut-out part 417.Accordingly, stress can be restrained from being concentrated on thecut-out part 417 and the like in the first side plate part 41 and thusthe first side plate part 41 can be restrained from being damaged in thevicinity of the cut-out part 417.

(Structure of Drive Unit 3)

FIG. 4 is an “XZ” cross-sectional view showing the drive unit 3 in FIG.2 and shows a state that the drive unit 3 is cut at a position passingsupport posts 75. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing a statethat the drive unit 3 shown in FIG. 2 is disassembled and viewed from aside of the ice tray 2. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing astate that the drive unit 3 shown in FIG. 2 is disassembled and viewedfrom an opposite side to the ice tray 2.

In FIG. 2, the drive unit 3 is structured so that a drive mechanism 15(see FIG. 7) for driving an output shaft 33 is disposed on an inner sideof a case 7 which is molded in a rectangular parallelepiped shape. Inthe drive mechanism 15, a rotating force of a drive source istransmitted to a cam gear 32 through a gear transmission mechanism, andthe cam gear 32 is integrally molded and provided with the output shaft33 with which the ice tray 2 is connected. The output shaft 33 isprotruded to an outer side of the case 7 through a hole 7 a of the case7 (specifically, the second end plate part 702 described below). Whenice pieces of the ice tray 2 are to be separated from the ice tray 2,the output shaft 33 turns the ice tray 2 in a counterclockwise “CCW”direction with the axial line “L0” as a center to reverse the ice tray 2and, when the ice tray 2 is to be returned to the original position, theoutput shaft is turned in a clockwise CW direction.

The ice detection lever 6 is disposed at a position adjacent to the icetray 2 on the other side “Y2” in the second direction “Y”. The driveunit 3 is structured with an ice detection mechanism 11 (see FIG. 7)which is interlocked with the cam gear 32 to turn the ice detectionlever 6 around an axial line “L1” (second axial line), a switchmechanism into which a signal from the temperature sensor 8 is inputtedthrough the signal wiring lines 88 and 89 described with reference toFIG. 3, and the like. The ice detection mechanism 11 is a mechanismstructured to detect whether an amount of ice pieces in an ice storagecontainer is full or insufficient. In a case that the ice detectionlever 6 is moved downward to an inside of the ice storage container,when the ice detection lever 6 is moved lower than a predeterminedposition, it is determined that ice pieces are insufficient.

In FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, the case 7 includes a first end plate part 701,which is located on one side (one side “X1” in the first direction “X”)in the axial line “L0” direction (thickness direction of the case 7), asecond end plate part 702 which faces the first end plate part 701 onthe other side in the axial line “L0” direction (the other side “X2” inthe first direction “X”), and a partition member 703 which sections aspace between the first end plate part 701 and the second end plate part702 in the axial line “L0” direction (first direction “X”). Therefore, acircuit board arrangement chamber 706 is sectioned on one side “X1” inthe first direction “X” between the first end plate part 701 and thesecond end plate part 702 by the partition member 703. The circuit boardarrangement chamber 706 is disposed with a first circuit board 51 forpower feeding on which an AC-DC converter and the like are structured, asecond circuit board 52 for control and a power switch 53.

In this embodiment, the case 7 includes a first case member 71 made ofresin, a second case member 72 made of resin and a third case member 73made of resin which are disposed so as to be overlapped with each otherfrom one side “X1” in the first direction “X” (a thickness direction ofthe case 7) to the other side “X2” in this order. The first end platepart 701 is structured with a bottom plate part 711 of the first casemember 71, the second end plate part 702 is structured with a bottomplate part 731 of the third case member 73, and the partition member 703is structured by a bottom plate part 721 of the second case member 72.The second case member 72 and the third case member 73 are connectedwith each other by screws 781 and a frame-shaped protruded part 791, andthe first case member 71 and the second case member 72 are connectedwith each other by a frame-shaped protruded part 792. Further, the firstcase member 71, the second case member 72 and the third case member 73are connected with each other by screws 782.

(Structure of Drive Mechanism 15)

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the drive mechanism 15 in FIG. 5and shows a state that the cam gear 32 is detached. As shown in FIGS. 5and 7, the second case member 72 is provided with a bottom plate part721 in a substantially quadrangular shape and a body part 722 in arectangular tube shape which is protruded from an outer side edge of thebottom plate part 721 to one side “X1” and the other side “X2” in thefirst direction “X”. In the second case member 72, the drive mechanism15 is provided on an inner side of the body part 722 on the other side“X2” in the first direction “X” with respect to the bottom plate part721. The drive mechanism 15 includes a motor 34 as a drive source, and amotor circuit board 340 is fixed on an opposite-to-output side of a bodypart of the motor 34 (a face of the motor 34 on the other side “Y2” inthe second direction “Y”). The motor 34 is a DC motor, and rotation ofthe motor 34 is decelerated and transmitted to the cam gear 32 through aworm gear 350 connected with a motor shaft 34 a of the motor 34, a firstgear 351, a second gear 352 and a third gear 353. A face of the cam gear32 facing the third case member 73 is formed with a groove 326 along acircumferential direction, and a projection (not shown) formed in thethird case member 73 is inserted into the groove 326 to restrict aturnable angular range of the cam gear 32.

In this embodiment, the cam gear 32 is controlled so as to turn in areverse direction based on a first signal output and a drive time periodafter an ice detection operation is started. Therefore, in an ice fullstate, it is controlled that the motor 34 is stopped when the cam gear32 has been turned, for example, by 42 degrees, and then, the motor 34is rotated in the reverse direction. Further, in a case that ice piecesare insufficient, the motor 34 is stopped when the cam gear 32 has beenturned, for example, by 160 degrees, and then, the motor 34 is rotatedin the reverse direction.

The cam gear 32 is integrally molded with the output shaft 33 so as toprotrude to one side “X1” and to the other side “X2” in the firstdirection “X”. A pressing type switch 371, a switch pressing lever 372and a coil spring 373 are disposed in an overlapped manner on a side ofthe cam gear 32. The switch pressing lever 372 is urged toward thepressing type switch 371 by the coil spring 373. The pressing typeswitch 371 becomes either on or off in order to distinguish aninsufficient state or a full state of ice pieces in an ice detectionoperation.

In the output shaft 33, an outer peripheral face of a portion which isprotruded from the cam gear 32 to one side “X1” in the first direction“X” is fitted to a friction member 36 in a cylindrical tube shape. Thefriction member 36 is turnable together with the output shaft 33 by africtional force with the output shaft 33. An end part on one side “X1”in the first direction “X” of the friction member 36 is formed with agroove 361 in a cut-out shape, and a protruded part (not shown) formedin the second case member 72 is capable of abutting with both ends ofthe groove 361. Therefore, the friction member 36 is turnable only in aregion until the protruded part of the second case member 72 is abuttedwith one of both ends of the groove 361 and, after turning of thefriction member 36 is prevented, only the output shaft 33 is turnedaround the axial line “L0”.

An outer peripheral face of the friction member 36 is provided with aprotruded part (not shown) for preventing turning of an ice detectionshaft 31 described below. The protruded part is not engaged with anengaging protruded part (not shown) of the ice detection shaft 31 whenthe cam gear 32 is turned to a side of an ice separation position, andthe protruded part is engaged with the engaging protruded part of theice detection shaft 31 only when the cam gear 32 is turned to a side ofan ice making position and turning of the ice detection shaft 31 isprevented. When turning of the ice detection shaft 31 is prevented, aswitch pressing operation prevention part 31 d formed on the icedetection shaft 31 is prevented from entering into a turnable range ofthe switch pressing lever 372 and thus, the pressing type switch 371 isfreely capable of turning on or off. Therefore, the pressing type switch371 is always turned on at a midway position when the ice detectionlever 6 is returned from the ice separation position to the ice makingposition.

A face of the cam gear 32 facing the second case member 72 is providedwith a switch pressing lever cam face (not shown) for driving the switchpressing lever, and an ice detection shaft cam face (not shown) fordriving the ice detection shaft 31. The ice detection shaft 31 isconnected with the ice detection lever 6. The ice detection shaft 31 isprovided with a sliding part 31 a which slides on the ice detectionshaft cam face of the cam gear 32 on one end “L1 a” side in the axialline “L1” direction. The ice detection shaft 31 is turned depending on aturning angle of the cam gear 32 to move the ice detection lever 6. Anouter peripheral face of the ice detection shaft 31 is provided, fromone end “L1 a” side to the other end “L1 b” side in the axial line “L1”direction, with a case received part 31 g, the sliding part 31 a, aspring engaging part (not shown), a guiding protruded part 31 h, aswitch pressing operation prevention part 31 d, a thrust coming-offprevention protruded part 31 e, and a lever connecting part 31 f so asto be protruded to an outer side in a radial direction. The protrudedpart (not shown) engaging with the friction member 36 is formed on anopposite side to the sliding part 31 a in a circumferential direction.

The ice detection mechanism 11 includes an urging member 38 structuredto urge the ice detection shaft 31 around the axial line “L1” in adirection that the sliding part 31 a is pressed against the icedetection shaft cam face side. In this embodiment, the urging member 38is structured with a compression coil spring 380 which is disposed onthe bottom plate part 721 of the second case member 72.

In the ice detection mechanism 11 structured as described above, amovement of the ice detection shaft 31 operated along the ice detectionshaft cam face is transmitted to the ice detection lever 6, and a signalis outputted from the pressing type switch 371 corresponding to turningof the ice detection shaft 31. Therefore, it can be determined whetherice pieces are insufficient or not and thus an ice separating operationcan be performed at an appropriate timing.

(Structure of Circuit Board Arrangement Chamber 706)

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the first case member 71 in FIG. 5which is viewed from a side of the ice tray 2. FIG. 9 is a perspectiveview showing the second case member 72 in FIG. 5 which is viewed from aside of the first case member 71. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showingthe second case member 72 in FIG. 5 together with a circuit board whichis viewed from a side of the first case member 71.

As shown in FIG. 8, the first case member 71 is provided with a bodypart 712 which is bent from an outer side edge of the bottom plate part711 (first end plate part 701) to the other side “X2” in the firstdirection “X”. The body part 712 is overlapped with the rectangulartube-shaped body part 722 of the second case member 72. In thisembodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the case 7 is provided with a pluralityof support posts 75 in a round bar shape which support bottom plateparts 711 and 721 between the first end plate part 701 (bottom platepart 711 of the first case member 71) and the partition member 703(bottom plate part 721 of the second case member 72). In thisembodiment, each of the plurality of the support posts 75 includes afirst pillar shaped part 751 in a round bar shape which is protrudedfrom the first end plate part 701 toward the partition member 703, and asecond pillar shaped part 752 in a round bar shape which is protrudedfrom the partition member 703 toward the first pillar shaped part 751 ofthe first end plate part 701.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, totaled six (6) first pillarshaped parts 751 are integrally molded and protruded from the first endplate part 701 toward the other side “X2” in the first direction “X”from positions separated from the body part 712 in the first end platepart 701. Some of the first pillar shaped parts 751 are provided in anouter peripheral part of the first end plate part 701 and, especially,some of the first pillar shaped parts 751 are separately provided fromthe body part 712 at corner positions of the first end plate part 701 ina rectangular shape. When the first pillar shaped parts 751 areintegrally molded with the first end plate part 701, the strength of thefirst end plate part 701 can be reinforced in a simple structure.Further, as shown in FIG. 9, totaled six (6) second pillar shaped parts752 are integrally molded and protruded toward one side “X1” in thefirst direction “X” from positions in the partition member 703overlapping with the respective six first pillar shaped parts 751 in thefirst direction “X”. Therefore, when the first case member 71 and thesecond case member 72 are overlapped with each other, the support posts75 are structured by the first pillar shaped parts 751 and the secondpillar shaped parts 752. Further, a circuit board (first circuit board51 and second circuit board 52) is supported between the first pillarshaped part 751 and the second pillar shaped part 752.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, some of the plurality of thesupport posts 75 support the second circuit board 52 in a state that thesecond circuit board 52 is abutted with and sandwiched between the firstpillar shaped part 751 and the second pillar shaped part 752. Further,although not shown in FIG. 4, some other support posts 75 support thefirst circuit board 51 in a state that the first circuit board 51 isabutted with and sandwiched between the first pillar shaped part 751 andthe second pillar shaped part 752. Therefore, each of the plurality ofthe support posts 75 is structured of the first pillar shaped part 751and the second pillar shaped part 752 as one support post 75 and therespective support posts 75 are connected with each other through thefirst circuit board 51 and the second circuit board 52. Accordingly, thestrength of the first end plate part 701 where the first pillar shapedparts 751 are formed can be also increased through the first circuitboard 51 and the second circuit board 52.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, in totaled six (6) first pillarshaped parts 751 in the first end plate part 701, three first pillarshaped parts 751 a disposed so as to form a triangle in a region wherethe second circuit board 52 is disposed are structured so that its outerdiameter is larger than that of other first pillar shaped parts 751 b,and a hole 751 f is opened at a tip end part 751 e. Further, the tip endpart 751 e of the first pillar shaped part 751 a is formed to be acircular ring-shaped face, and the tip end part 751 e is radially formedwith a plurality of projection parts 751 g around the hole 751 f.Further, in other three first pillar shaped parts 751 b of the totaledsix (6) first pillar shaped parts 751 which are disposed to form atriangle in a region where the first circuit board 51 is disposed,similarly to the first pillar shaped parts 751 a, a hole 751 f is openedat the tip end part 751 e. The tip end part 751 e of the first pillarshaped part 751 b is, similarly to the tip end part 751 e of the firstpillar shaped part 751 a, also formed in a circular ring-shaped face,and the tip end part 751 e is radially formed with a plurality ofprojection parts 751 g around the hole 751 f. In this embodiment, thesix first pillar shaped parts 751 are structured so that heights of therespective tip end parts 751 e are equal to each other and that heightsof the respective projection parts 751 g are equal to each other.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9, three second pillar shaped parts752 a of totaled six (6) second pillar shaped parts 752 in the partitionmember 703 which are disposed to form a triangle in a region where thesecond circuit board 52 is disposed are structured so that their outerdiameters are larger than those of other second pillar shaped parts 752b, and a shaft-shaped protruded part 752 f is protruded from a tip endpart 752 e. Further, other three second pillar shaped parts 752 b oftotaled six (6) second pillar shaped parts 752 which are disposed toform a triangle in a region where the first circuit board 52 is disposedare, similarly to the first pillar shaped part 751 a, structured so thata shaft-shaped protruded part 752 f is protruded from the tip end part752 e. Therefore, when the first case member 71 and the second casemember 72 are overlapped with each other, the protruded parts 752 f ofthe second pillar shaped parts 752 are fitted to the holes 751 f of thefirst pillar shaped parts 751. In the partition member 703, a partitionplate 723 a and a plate-shaped hook 723 b are formed between regionswhere the first circuit board 51 and the second circuit board 52 aredisposed, and a hook 723 c is formed at a position facing the partitionplate 723 a on the other side in the second direction “Y”. The partitionmember 703 is formed with a recessed part 703 a and a protruded part 703b. However, heights of the tip end parts 752 e of the six second pillarshaped parts 752 are the same as each other. A protruding dimension ofthe protruded part 752 f is larger than that of the projection part 751g that formed in the first pillar shaped part 751.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the first circuit board 51 isformed with opening parts 511 through which the protruded parts 752 f ofthe second pillar shaped parts 752 a are penetrated, and the secondcircuit board 52 is formed with opening parts 521 through which theprotruded parts 752 f of the second pillar shaped parts 752 b arepenetrated. Therefore, when the first case member 71 and the second casemember 72 are overlapped with each other, the protruded parts 752 f ofthe second pillar shaped parts 752 b are penetrated through the openingparts 511 and 521 of the first circuit board 51 and the second circuitboard 52 and are fitted into the holes 751 f of the first pillar shapedparts 751. As a result, the first circuit board 51 and the secondcircuit board 52 are respectively sandwiched between the tip end parts751 e of the first pillar shaped parts 751 and the tip end parts 752 eof the second pillar shaped parts 752, and are supported in a separatedstate from the first end plate part 701 and the partition member 703.

In this embodiment, the projection parts 751 g are formed on the tip endpart 751 e of the first pillar shaped part 751 and, when the first casemember 71 and the second case member 72 are overlapped with each other,the projection parts 751 g formed on the tip end part 751 e of the firstpillar shaped part 751 are abutted with the tip end part 752 e of thesecond pillar shaped part 752 before the body part 712 of the first casemember 71 and the body part 722 of the second case member 72 are abuttedwith each other. Therefore, variations of the height dimensions of thefirst pillar shaped part 751 and the second pillar shaped part 752 canbe absorbed by abutting portions in the first circuit board 51 and thesecond circuit board 52 with the projection parts 751 g of the firstpillar shaped part 751 and, alternatively by a crushing extent of theprojection parts 751 g. Accordingly, the body part 712 of the first casemember 71 and the body part 722 of the second case member 72 are abuttedwith each other and thus the first case member 71 and the second casemember 72 can be positioned surely. Further, the first circuit board 51and the second circuit board 52 can be prevented from being inclined. Inthis embodiment, variations of the height dimensions of the first pillarshaped part 751 and the second pillar shaped part 752 are absorbed bythe crushing extent of a portion where the projection parts 751 g of thefirst pillar shaped part 751 are abutted in the first circuit board 51and the second circuit board 52.

In this embodiment, the partition plate 723 a and two hooks 723 b and723 c are formed in the partition member 703 between the regions wherethe first circuit board 51 and the second circuit board 52 are disposed.Two edges of the first circuit board 51 facing in the second direction“Y” are respectively supported by the hooks 723 b and 723 c from oneside “X1” in the first direction “X”. Therefore, when the first casemember 71 and the second case member 72 are to be overlapped andconnected with each other, the first circuit board 51 can be temporarilyattached to the partition member 703 by the hooks 723 b and 723 c in astate that the protruded parts 752 f of the second pillar shaped parts752 formed in the partition member 703 are fitted to the opening parts511 and 521 of the first circuit board 51 and the second circuit board52.

(Structure of Terminal Holder 55 and the Like)

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a state that a terminal holder 55is disposed at a position overlapping with the first circuit board 51shown in FIG. 10 which is viewed from one side “Y1” in the seconddirection “Y”. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a state that theterminal holder 55 is disposed at a position overlapping with the firstcircuit board 51 shown in FIG. 10 which is viewed from the other side“Y2” in the second direction “Y”. FIG. 13 is the “XY” cross-sectionalview showing a portion where the terminal holder 55 shown in FIG. 9 isdisposed. FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the terminal holder 55in FIG. 11 and the like. FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing holdersupport parts 78 and the like shown in FIG. 11. FIG. 16 is a plan viewshowing the holder support parts 78 and the like shown in FIG. 11. FIG.17 is an explanatory view showing a state that the terminal holder 55shown in FIG. 11 is inserted between the holder support parts 78.

As shown in FIGS. 9, 10, 11 and 12, in this embodiment, in order toelectrically connect the first circuit board 51 and the like with themotor circuit board 340 shown in FIG. 7 through the partition member703, one ends of a plurality of terminals 550 are electrically connectedwith the first circuit board 51 in a state that the one ends of theplurality of the terminals 550 held by the terminal holder 55 in arectangular prism shape are penetrated through the terminal holes 515 ofthe first circuit board 51 in the vicinity of a corner of the partitionmember 703 on the other side “Y2” in the second direction “Y” and on theother side “Z2” in the third direction “Z”.

As shown in FIGS. 12, 13, and 14 the terminal holder 55 is fixed to themotor circuit board 340, and the other ends of the plurality of theterminals 550 are electrically connected with the motor circuit board340. In this embodiment, the terminal holder 55 is provided with a firstside face 551 on one side “Y1” in the second direction “Y”, a secondside face 552 on the other side “Y2” in the second direction “Y”, and anend face 558 on one side “X1” in the first direction “X” from which oneends of the terminals 550 are protruded.

Further, an end part on the end face 558 side of the first side face 551of the terminal holder 55 is formed with a first engaging protruded part553 which is protruded from a substantially center portion in the thirddirection “Z” to one side “Y1” in the second direction “Y”. An end parton the end face 558 side of the second side face 552 is formed with asecond engaging protruded part 554 which is protruded from asubstantially center portion in the third direction “Z” to the otherside “Y2” in the second direction “Y”. In addition, an end part on anopposite side to the end face 558 of the first side face 551 of theterminal holder 55 is protruded with stopper protruded parts 555 fromrespective both end parts in the third direction “Z”.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 13, an end face on one side “X1” in the firstdirection “X” of the first engaging protruded part 553 is formed in aninclined part 553 a which is obliquely inclined so that a tip end sidein a protruding direction of the first engaging protruded part 553 islocated on the other side “X2” in the first direction “X” with respectto its root portion on the first side face 551 side. Further, as shownin FIGS. 11 and 13, an end face on one side “X1” in the first direction“X” of the second engaging protruded part 554 is formed in an inclinedpart 554 a which is obliquely inclined so that a tip end side in aprotruding direction of the second engaging protruded part 554 islocated on the other side “X2” in the first direction “X” with respectto its root portion on the second side face 552 side.

In order to dispose the terminal holder 55 structured as describedabove, the partition member 703 is formed with a penetration part 74whose longitudinal direction is directed in the third direction “Z”, andthe terminal holder 55 is inserted into the penetration part 74 from theother side “X2” toward one side “X1” in the first direction “X”.

The partition member 703 is provided with a first holder support part 76in a plate shape, which is stood up from a first edge 741 on one side“Y1” in the second direction “Y” of the penetration part 74 toward oneside “X1” in the first direction “X”, and a second holder support part77 in a plate shape which is stood up from a second edge 742 on theother side “Y2” in the second direction “Y” of the penetration part 74toward one side “X1” in the first direction “X”. The first holdersupport part 76 and the second holder support part 77 are disposed sothat their plate thickness directions are directed toward the seconddirection “Y”. Therefore, the first holder support part 76 is abuttedwith elasticity with the first side face 551 of the terminal holder 55with an inner face 760 located on the penetration part 74 side in aplate thickness direction as a support face. Further, the second holdersupport part 77 is abutted with elasticity with the second side face 552of the terminal holder 55 with an inner face 770 located on thepenetration part 74 side in a plate thickness direction as a supportface. Therefore, both faces in the second direction “Y” of the terminalholder 55 are respectively supported with elasticity by the first holdersupport part 76 and the second holder support part 77.

In this state, the first engaging protruded part 553 is engaged with atip end part 762 of the first holder support part 76 from one side “X1”in the first direction, and the second engaging protruded part 554 isengaged with a tip end part 772 of the second holder support part 77from one side “X1” in the first direction. Further, the stopperprotruded parts 555 of the terminal holder 55 are engaged with thepartition member 703 from the other side “X2” in the first direction“X”.

In this embodiment, a protruding height from the first side face 551 ofthe first engaging protruded part 553 is smaller than a thickness of thefirst holder support part 76 in a protruding direction of the firstengaging protruded part 553. Further, a protruding height from thesecond side face 552 of the second engaging protruded part 554 issmaller than a thickness of the second holder support part 77 in aprotruding direction of the second engaging protruded part 554. Further,the inner face 760 of the first holder support part 76 and the innerface 770 of the second holder support part 77 are formed to beperpendicular faces to the partition member 703.

In this embodiment, the first holder support part 76 is formed with afirst guide groove 761 from an end part on the other side “X2” to amidway position toward one side “X1” in the first direction “X”.Further, the second holder support part 77 is formed with a second guidegroove 771 from an end part on the other side “X2” to a midway positiontoward one side “X1” in the first direction “X”. The first guide groove761 and the second guide groove 771 guide the first engaging protrudedpart 553 and the second engaging protruded part 554 as shown in FIG. 17when the terminal holder 55 is inserted into the penetration part 74from the other side “X2” toward one side “X1” in the first direction“X”.

When the terminal holder 55 is inserted into the penetration part 74 ofthe partition member 703 structured as described above from the otherside “X2” toward one side “X1” in the first direction “X”, the firstengaging protruded part 553 and the second engaging protruded part 554are guided by the first guide groove 761 and the second guide groove 771of the first holder support part 76 and the second holder support part77, and the terminal holder 55 is inserted to one side “X1” in the firstdirection “X”. Next, when the first engaging protruded part 553 and thesecond engaging protruded part 554 are abutted with the tip end parts762 and 772 of the first holder support part 76 and the second holdersupport part 77, the first engaging protruded part 553 and the secondengaging protruded part 554 are passed beyond the first guide groove 761and the second guide groove 771 while resiliently bending the firstholder support part 76 and the second holder support part 77 towardouter sides, and the first engaging protruded part 553 and the secondengaging protruded part 554 are engaged with the tip end part 762 of thefirst holder support part 76 and the tip end part 772 of the secondholder support part 77 from one side “X1” in the first direction. Inthis case, the stopper protruded parts 555 of the terminal holder 55 areengaged with the partition member 703 from the other side “X2” in thefirst direction “X” and thus the terminal holder 55 is not moved anymore to one side “X1” in the first direction “X”. Therefore, even whenanother structure is not adopted, an inserting depth of the terminalholder 55 to the penetration part 74 can be adjusted and the terminalholder 55 is held by the partition member 703.

In this embodiment, the inner face 760 of the first holder support part76 and the inner face 770 of the second holder support part 77 areperpendicular faces to the partition member 703. Therefore, the terminalholder 55 can be easily inserted between the first holder support part76 and the second holder support part 77 through the penetration part 74and, in addition, the terminal holder 55 can be appropriately supportedby the first holder support part 76 and the second holder support part77.

Further, a protruding height from the first side face 551 of the firstengaging protruded part 553 is smaller than a thickness of the firstholder support part 76 in a protruding direction of the first engagingprotruded part 553, and a protruding height from the second side face552 of the second engaging protruded part 554 is smaller than athickness of the second holder support part 77 in a protruding directionof the second engaging protruded part 554. Further, the inclined parts553 a and 554 a are formed on the end faces on one side “X1” in thefirst direction “X” of the first engaging protruded part 553 and thesecond engaging protruded part 554. Therefore, when the first engagingprotruded part 553 and the second engaging protruded part 554 are passedbeyond the first guide groove 761 and the second guide groove 771 whilethe first holder support part 76 and the second holder support part 77are resiliently bent toward outer sides, a situation is hard to beoccurred that the first engaging protruded part 553 and the secondengaging protruded part 554 are caught by the end parts of the firstguide groove 761 and the second guide groove 771. Accordingly, the firstengaging protruded part 553 and the second engaging protruded part 554can be easily engaged with the tip end part 762 of the first holdersupport part 76 and the tip end part 772 of the second holder supportpart 77. Further, the abutting portions of the first engaging protrudedpart 553 and the second engaging protruded part 554 with the tip endpart 762 of the first holder support part 76 and the tip end part 772 ofthe second holder support part 77 are formed in faces and thus the firstengaging protruded part 553 and the second engaging protruded part 554are hard to be disengaged from the tip end part 762 of the first holdersupport part 76 and the tip end part 772 of the second holder supportpart 77.

Further, the first holder support part 76 and the second holder supportpart 77 are disposed at a center in an extending direction of the firstedge 741 and the second edge 742 of the penetration part 74, and thethird holder support parts 78 in a plate shape are protruded at both endsides in the extending direction of the first edge 741 or the secondedge 742 so that their plate thickness directions are directed in theextending direction of the first edge 741 or the second edge 742. Thethird holder support part 78 is structured so as to be unable toelastically deform in the direction that the first side face 551 and thesecond side face 552 of the terminal holder 55 are faced each other. Inthis embodiment, the third holder support part 78 is protruded from bothend sides in the extending direction of the first edge 741, and thethird holder support parts 78 support the first side face 551 of theterminal holder 55. According to this structure, the third holdersupport parts 78 surely support the terminal holder 55 from a directionperpendicular to the plate thickness direction and thus a situation ishard to be occurred that the terminal holder 55 is inclined.

(Operation)

In an ice making device 1 in this embodiment, in an ice making step,water is supplied to an ice tray 2 horizontally disposed so that waterstorage recessed parts 20 face to an upper side through a water supplypipe (not shown) and water is filled in the water storage recessed parts20. After that, the water filled in the ice tray 2 is frozen by a coldair supplied from a cooling part (not shown). Whether an ice making hasbeen completed or not is determined according to whether or not atemperature of the ice tray 2 has reached a predetermined temperature orlower based on a temperature sensor 8 (thermistor 80) attached to theice tray 2.

When ice making has been completed, an ice quantity in an ice storagecontainer (not shown) arranged on a lower side with respect to the icetray 2 is detected by an ice detection lever 6. Specifically, the icedetection lever 6 is driven and moved downward by a drive unit 3. Inthis case, when the ice detection lever 6 has been moved down to apredetermined position, it is judged that the ice quantity in the icestorage container is insufficient. On the other hand, in a case that theice detection lever 6 is abutted with an ice piece in the ice storagecontainer before moved down to the predetermined position, it is judgedthat the ice quantity in the ice storage container is full. In a casethat the ice quantity in the ice storage container is full, after waitedfor a predetermined time period, the ice quantity in the ice storagecontainer will be detected by the ice detection lever 6 again.

When an ice quantity in the ice storage container is insufficient, anice separating operation of the ice tray 2 is performed. Specifically,an output shaft 33 of the drive unit 3 is driven and turned and the icetray 2 is turned in a counterclockwise direction “CCW” with an axialline “L0” as a center. When the ice tray 2 is turned around by apredetermined turning angle of 90° or more (for example, 120°) from ahorizontally disposed first position, a turning restriction part 29 ofthe ice tray 2 is abutted with a frame 4. In this state, further turningof the ice tray 2 is restricted and thus the ice tray 2 is twisted anddeformed. As a result, ice pieces in the ice tray 2 are separated fromthe ice tray 2 and dropped into the ice storage container arranged on alower side with respect to the ice tray 2.

After that, the drive unit 3 turns the ice tray 2 in a reversedirection, i.e., in a clockwise direction “CW” so that the water storagerecessed parts 20 face to an upper side with the axial line “L0” as acenter, and the above-mentioned operations are repeated.

Principal Effects in this Embodiment

As described above, in this embodiment, the circuit board (first circuitboard 51 and second circuit board 52) is disposed in the circuit boardarrangement chamber 706 provided between the first end plate part 701and the partition member 703, and the drive mechanism 15 is disposed inthe drive chamber 707 provided between the second end plate part 702 andthe partition member 703. Therefore, the first circuit board 51 and thesecond circuit board 52 are not disposed in the drive chamber 707 andthus, grease applied to the drive mechanism 15 in the drive chamber 707and water entered into the drive chamber 707 are hard to be stuck to thefirst circuit board 51 and the second circuit board 52. Further, thefirst circuit board 51 and the second circuit board 52 are not disposedin the drive chamber 707 and thus the drive chamber 707 has some sparespace. Therefore, the drive chamber 707 (partition member 703 and secondend plate part 702) can be reinforced by a rib or the like. Further, thecircuit board arrangement chamber 706 (first end plate part 701 andpartition member 703) is reinforced by the support post 75. Therefore,the strength of the case 7 of the drive unit 3 can be increased and thusthe case 7 can be provided with sufficient strength which is capable ofwithstanding a reaction force when an ice separating operation isperformed. Especially, in this embodiment, the ice tray 2 is performedwith a reversing operation and a twisting operation interlocked with thereversing operation by the drive mechanism 15 and thus a large reactionforce is applied to the drive unit 3 by the ice tray 2 when an iceseparating operation is performed. However, according to thisembodiment, the case 7 is capable of withstanding the reaction force.

Further, each of a plurality of the support posts 75 is provided withthe first pillar shaped part 751 which is protruded from the first endplate part 701 toward the partition member 703, and the second pillarshaped part 752 which is protruded from the partition member 703 towardthe first end plate part 701 and is abutted with the first pillar shapedpart 751, and the circuit board (first circuit board 51 and secondcircuit board 52) is supported between the first pillar shaped part 751and the second pillar shaped part 752. Therefore, the first circuitboard 51 and the second circuit board 52 are separated from the firstend plate part 701 and the partition member 703 and thus restrictionsfor height and the like of electronic components mounted on the firstcircuit board 51 and the second circuit board 52 can be reduced.Further, the protruded part 752 f of the second pillar shaped part 752is fitted into the hole 751 f of the first pillar shaped part 751.Therefore, the first end plate part 701 and the partition member 703 canbe surely positioned in a direction intersecting the axial line “L0” andthe strength of the case 7 in the direction intersecting the axial line“L0” can be increased.

Further, variations of height dimensions of the first pillar shaped part751 and the second pillar shaped part 752 can be absorbed by a crushingextent of the projection part 751 g. Therefore, the first case member 71and the second case member 72 can be appropriately overlapped with eachother and the circuit board (first circuit board 51 and second circuitboard 52) can be supported appropriately. Further, each of the firstcircuit board 51 and the second circuit board 52 is supported by threesupport posts 75 and thus, even if the height dimensions of the firstpillar shaped part 751 and the second pillar shaped part 752 are variedin the three support posts 75, each of the first circuit board 51 andthe second circuit board 52 can be appropriately supported.

Further, in order to electrically connect the circuit board arrangementchamber 706 with the drive chamber 707 through the penetration part 74of the partition member 703, the terminal holder 55 inserted into thepenetration part 74 are supported from both sides by the first holdersupport part 76 and the second holder support part 77 which are stood upfrom the partition member 703. Further, the first holder support part 76and the second holder support part 77 are formed with the first guidegroove 761 and the second guide groove 771. Therefore, when the terminalholder 55 is inserted into the penetration part 74, the first engagingprotruded part 553 of the terminal holder 55 is guided by the firstguide groove 761, and the second engaging protruded part 554 of theterminal holder 55 is guided by the second guide groove 771. Further,after the first engaging protruded part 553 and the second engagingprotruded part 554 have passed beyond the first guide groove 761 and thesecond guide groove 771 by resiliently bending the first holder supportpart 76 and the second holder support part 77 in plate thicknessdirections, the first engaging protruded part 553 and the secondengaging protruded part 554 are engaged with the first holder supportpart 76 and the second holder support part 77 from one side “X1” in thefirst direction “X”. Therefore, the terminal holder 55 can be easilyarranged in a state that the terminal holder 55 is prevented fromcoining off from the penetration part 74 to the other side “X2” in thefirst direction “X”.

Further, the first holder support part 76 and the second holder supportpart 77 support the terminal holder 55 with elasticity. Therefore, whenthe terminals 550 held by the terminal holder 55 are to be electricallyconnected, the position of the terminal holder 55 can be shifted to someextent and thus the terminals 550 can be easily electrically connected.For example, in this embodiment, the terminals 550 are inserted into theterminal holes 515 of the first circuit board 51 and then the firstcircuit board 51 and the terminals 550 are electrically connected witheach other by soldering. In this case, the terminals 550 can be insertedinto the terminal holes 515 of the first circuit board 51 while finelyadjusting the position of the terminal holder 55. Further, in thisembodiment, after the terminals 550 are inserted into the terminal holes515 of the first circuit board 51, the position of the first circuitboard 51 is finely adjusted together with the terminal holder 55 and thefirst circuit board 51 can be temporarily attached to by the hooks 723 band 723 c. Also in this case, when the first case member 71 and thesecond case member 72 are connected with each other, the first circuitboard 51 is fixed between the first pillar shaped part 751 a and thesecond pillar shaped part 752 a and thus the position of the terminalholder 55 is not displaced.

Other Embodiments

Although the present invention has been shown and described withreference to a specific embodiment, various changes and modificationswill be apparent to those skilled in the art from the teachings herein.For example, in the embodiment described above, the first pillar shapedpart 751 and the second pillar shaped part 752 are abutted with eachother to structure the support post 75, and the circuit board (firstcircuit board 51 and second circuit board 52) is supported between thefirst pillar shaped part 751 and the second pillar shaped part 752.However, it may be structured that the first pillar shaped part 751 andthe second pillar shaped part 752 are respectively abutted with bothfaces of the circuit board (first circuit board 51 and second circuitboard 52) without abutting the first pillar shaped part 751 with thesecond pillar shaped part 752 to support the circuit board, and thefirst pillar shaped part 751 and the second pillar shaped part 752structure the support post 75. For example, in the embodiment describedabove, it may be structured that, in a state that the protruded part 752f of the second pillar shaped part 752 is inserted into the hole 751 fof the first pillar shaped part 751, the protruded part 752 f of thesecond pillar shaped part 752 is not contacted with an inner face of thehole 751 f of the first pillar shaped part 751. Further, it may bestructured that the tip end part 751 e of the first pillar shaped part751 and the tip end part 752 e of the second pillar shaped part 752 arenot formed with a hole and a protruded part, and that the circuit board(first circuit board 51 and second circuit board 52) are sandwichedbetween the tip end part 751 e of the first pillar shaped part 751 andthe tip end part 752 e of the second pillar shaped part 752. Further, itmay be structured that only one of the first pillar shaped part 751 andthe second pillar shaped part 752 is formed and the support post 75 isstructured of one pillar shaped part.

In the embodiment described above, the circuit board (first circuitboard 51 and second circuit board 52) is supported between the firstpillar shaped part 751 and the second pillar shaped part 752. However,it may be structured that the first pillar shaped part 751 and thesecond pillar shaped part 752 structure the support post 75 withoutsupporting the circuit board (first circuit board 51 and second circuitboard 52).

In the embodiment described above, the protruded part 752 f is formed inthe second pillar shaped part 752 and the hole 751 f is formed in thefirst pillar shaped part 751. However, in order to hold the circuitboard, it may be structured that the protruded part 752 f is formed inthe first pillar shaped part 751 and the hole 751 f is formed in thesecond pillar shaped part 752.

In the embodiment described above, the first holder support part 76 andthe second holder support part 77 are respectively formed with the firstguide groove 761 and the second guide groove 771 for guiding the firstengaging protruded part 553 and the second engaging protruded part 554.However, it may be structured that the second holder support part 77 isformed with no second engaging protruded part 554 and no second guidegroove 771. In this case, it may be structured that the second holdersupport part 77 supports the terminal holder 55 with elasticity and,alternatively, the second holder support part 77 supports the terminalholder 55 without elasticity.

In the embodiment described above, when an ice separating operation isto be performed, the ice tray 2 is performed with a reversing operationand a twisting operation by the drive unit 3. However, the presentinvention may be applied to an ice making device 1 in which ascraping-out member for scraping ice pieces from the ice tray 2 isdriven by the drive unit 3.

In the embodiment described above, a DC motor is used as a drive source.However, an AC motor, a capacitor motor or a stepping motor may be used.Further, a drive source other than a motor such as a solenoid may beadopted. Further, as liquid to be frozen, in addition to water, drinksuch as a juice may be adopted and an undrinkable liquid such asinspection reagent may be adopted. Further, a bimetal utilizingshape-memory alloy may be used, instead of using the thermistor 80, as ameans for detecting whether ice pieces in an ice storage container havebeen frozen or not.

While the description above refers to particular embodiments of thepresent invention, it will be understood that many modifications may bemade without departing from the spirit thereof. The accompanying claimsare intended to cover such modifications as would fall within the truescope and spirit of the present invention.

The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore to be considered inall respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of theinvention being indicated by the appended claims, rather than theforegoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning andrange of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embracedtherein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A drive unit for an ice making device comprising:a drive mechanism; a circuit board structured to perform at least one ofpower feeding to and control for the drive mechanism; and a case inwhich the drive mechanism and the circuit board are disposed on an innerside; wherein the case comprises: a first end plate part which islocated on one side in a thickness direction of the case; a second endplate part which faces the first end plate part on an other side in thethickness direction of the case; and a partition member which sections aspace between the first end plate part and the second end plate part inthe thickness direction of the case; wherein the circuit board isdisposed in a circuit board arrangement chamber which is providedbetween the first end plate part and the partition member; wherein thedrive mechanism is disposed in a drive chamber which is provided betweenthe second end plate part and the partition member; and wherein aplurality of support posts is provided between the first end plate partand the partition member.
 2. The drive unit for the ice making deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of the support postscomprises a first pillar shaped part protruded from the first end platepart toward the partition member and a second pillar shaped partprotruded from the partition member toward the first pillar shaped part,and the circuit board is supported between the first pillar shaped partand the second pillar shaped part.
 3. The drive unit for the ice makingdevice according to claim 2, wherein one of the first pillar shaped partand the second pillar shaped part comprises a protruded part which isprotruded from its tip end part, and an other of the first pillar shapedpart and the second pillar shaped part comprises a hole which is openedin its tip end part into which the protruded part is fitted.
 4. Thedrive unit for the ice making device according to claim 3, wherein thecircuit board is supported between the first pillar shaped part and thesecond pillar shaped part in a state that the protruded part ispenetrated through an opening part formed in the circuit board and isfitted into the hole.
 5. The drive unit for the ice making deviceaccording to claim 4, wherein the other first pillar shaped part andsecond pillar shaped part comprises a plurality of projection parts onits the tip end part, and the other first pillar shaped part and secondpillar shaped part is contacted with the circuit board in a state thatat least one of a portion of the circuit board where the plurality ofthe projection parts are abutted and the plurality of the projectionparts is partly crushed.
 6. The drive unit for the ice making deviceaccording to claim 3, wherein the circuit board comprises: a firstcircuit board supported by some of the plurality of the support posts;and a second circuit board supported by another some of the plurality ofthe support posts.
 7. The drive unit for the ice making device accordingto claim 6, wherein the first circuit board is supported by three of theplurality of the support posts, and the second circuit board issupported by another three of the plurality of the support posts.
 8. Thedrive unit for the ice making device according to claim 1, wherein thepartition member comprises a penetration part which is penetratedthrough the partition member in the thickness direction of the case, andthe drive chamber and the circuit board arrangement chamber areelectrically connected with each other through the penetration part. 9.The drive unit for the ice making device according to claim 1, whereinthe case comprises a first case member which structures the first endplate part, a second case member which structures the partition member,and a third case member which structures the second end plate parttoward one side in the thickness direction of the case.
 10. The driveunit for the ice making device according to claim 1, wherein the drivemechanism comprises a motor, a gear transmission mechanism to which arotating force of the motor is transmitted, and a cam gear to which therotating force of the motor is transmitted through the gear transmissionmechanism, the cam gear comprises an output shaft which is protrudedfrom the second end plate part to an outer side of the second end platepart and is connected with an ice tray, and when an ice separatingoperation of ice pieces of the ice tray is to be performed, the outputshaft is turned by the motor and the ice tray is reversed.
 11. The driveunit for the ice making device according to claim 10, wherein each ofthe plurality of the support posts comprises a first pillar shaped partprotruded from the first end plate part toward the partition member anda second pillar shaped part protruded from the partition member towardthe first pillar shaped part, some of the first pillar shaped parts areprovided in an outer peripheral part of the first end plate part, andthe circuit board is supported between the first pillar shaped part andthe second pillar shaped part.
 12. The drive unit for the ice makingdevice according to claim 11, wherein one of the first pillar shapedpart and the second pillar shaped part comprises a protruded part whichis protruded from its tip end part, an other of the first pillar shapedpart and the second pillar shaped part comprises a hole which is openedin its tip end part into which the protruded part is fitted, and thecircuit board is supported between the first pillar shaped part and thesecond pillar shaped part in a state that the protruded part ispenetrated through an opening part formed in the circuit board and isfitted into the hole.
 13. An ice making device comprising: the driveunit defined in claim 1; an ice tray comprising a plurality of waterstorage recessed parts; and a frame which turnably supports the ice trayand on which the drive unit is mounted; wherein a reversing operationand a twisting operation interlocked with the reversing operation areperformed on the ice tray by the drive mechanism.
 14. The ice makingdevice according to claim 13, wherein the drive mechanism comprises amotor, a gear transmission mechanism to which a rotating force of themotor is transmitted, and a cam gear to which the rotating force of themotor is transmitted through the gear transmission mechanism, the camgear comprises an output shaft which is protruded from the second endplate part to an outer side of the second end plate part and isconnected with an the ice tray, and when an ice separating operation ofice pieces of the ice tray is to be performed, the output shaft isturned by the motor and the reversing operation and the twistingoperation are performed on the ice tray.
 15. The ice making deviceaccording to claim 14, wherein each of the plurality of the supportposts comprises a first pillar shaped part protruded from the first endplate part toward the partition member and a second pillar shaped partprotruded from the partition member toward the first pillar shaped part,some of the first pillar shaped parts are provided in an outerperipheral part of the first end plate part, and the circuit board issupported between the first pillar shaped part and the second pillarshaped part.
 16. The ice making device according to claim 15, whereinone of the first pillar shaped part and the second pillar shaped partcomprises a protruded part which is protruded from its tip end part, another of the first pillar shaped part and the second pillar shaped partcomprises a hole which is opened in its tip end part into which theprotruded part is fitted, and the circuit board is supported between thefirst pillar shaped part and the second pillar shaped part in a statethat the protruded part is penetrated through an opening part formed inthe circuit board and is fitted into the hole.
 17. The ice making deviceaccording to claim 16, wherein the other first pillar shaped part andsecond pillar shaped part comprises a plurality of projection parts onits the tip end part, and the other first pillar shaped part and secondpillar shaped part is contacted with the circuit board in a state thatat least one of a portion of the circuit board where the plurality ofthe projection parts are abutted and the plurality of the projectionparts is partly crushed.
 18. The ice making device according to claim15, wherein the partition member comprises a penetration part which ispenetrated through the partition member in the thickness direction ofthe case, and the drive chamber and the circuit board arrangementchamber are electrically connected with each other through thepenetration part.
 19. The ice making device according to claim 14,wherein the case comprises a first case member which structures thefirst end plate part, a second case member which structures thepartition member, and a third case member which structures the secondend plate part toward one side in the thickness direction of the case,and the first case member, the second case member and the third casemember are connected with each other with a screw and are mounted on theframe.